“I am thrilled that Michael Lynch has joined our team as our new chair. Michael has forged new dimensions of the possible for arts managers; his adventurous spirit and energy are perfect matches for Circa. We look forward to working with him to help us imagine and deliver the future of circus.
Michael joins Circa at a particularly complex time in the arts environment. We were recently fortunate to secure multi-year funding from both the Australia Council and Catalyst and we are grateful for the support which acknowledges the incredible efforts of our team. These positive results are dimmed by the losses of others in our sector. Circa is firmly of the belief that funding should be tied to merit through peer assessed processes. We strongly advocate for increased funding for the Australia Council and will continue to provide support for emerging and independent artists.”
– Yaron Lifschitz, Circa Artistic Director/ CEO
About Michael Lynch
Michael was the General Manager of Sydney Theatre Company from 1989-1994. He then went on to be General Manager of the Australia Council for the Federal Government’s arts funding and advisory body (1994-1998). In 1998 he became the Director of the Sydney Opera House and from 2002 to 2009 he became chief executive of the South Bank Centre in London. Shortly after, Michael was appointed a director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Most recently, he was appointed CEO of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority by the Hong Kong Government.
“I’m 65 years old; I can barely walk due to childhood polio and I always wanted to be an Olympic gymnast. So of course the invitation to Chair Circa was irresistible. I may not be up for a stint in Circa’s Training Centre but I’m certainly up for enthusiastically supporting one of Australia’s most innovative and successful performing arts companies. I very much look forward to working with the Board of Circa and with Yaron and Charlie and their team to help make Circa an even greater success story in Australia and around the world.”
– Michael Lynch, Circa Chair